Prolong...Furlong?

“Furlong says probe cleared him, but RCMP says case open.”

So read the headline published in the GLOBE AND MAIL dated, Oct. 29^th, 2013 and written by Sunny Dhillon and Tu Thanh Ha.

 It’s well known today, at least amongst Aboriginal communities, the legacy of physical and sexual abuse in the former native residential schools that were all funded by the federal government and operated by various churches. Along with that legacy did come some accountability with a number of former supervisors charged, convicted, and subsequently sentenced behind bars.

Enter former supervisor, Paul Leroux, who had worked at Grollier Hall, a former Catholic-run residence in Inuvik, NT.  After a complaint from one former student, a speedy and extensive RCMP investigation ensued.

The RCMP “probe” into that case included interviews with over 70 former Grollier Hall students (Survivors) under Leroux’s care at that time. That probe clearly showed the will of the RCMP to gain evidence against him to subsequently charge him with sexual abuse.

Now, should the same extensive probe into John Furlong, former CEO of the 2010 Olympics be expected? One would think the RCMP would have the same will…instead, after one complaint.

“The initial probe, which ended in the spring, looked at allegations Mr. Furlong sexually molested Beverly Abraham when he was a physical education teacher at Immaculata Roman Catholic Elementary School in Burns Lake, B.C. four decades ago.”

The result?

Apparently, “Mr. Furlong said the officer in charge of the investigation…concluded there was no wrongdoing.”

 “…he has been told an RCMP investigation into allegations he sexually abused a student when he was a teacher decades ago has proven his innocence.”

Apparently too, seems the RCMP is unwilling to extend their probe past one allegation even when Ms. Abraham asked the local constable to interview additional witnesses.

As one who did take part as a witness into the extensive RCMP probe against Paul Leroux, a pragmatic attitude would think the RCMP take the same approach towards Furlong.

Still…

John Furlong is a high-profile character who worked closely with the RCMP to ensure security measures were in place during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Could that relationship be the impetus behind the restrictive probe into the allegations of physical and sexual abuse?

Perhaps, the BC RCMP should seriously hold the NWT RCMP as a model into how to conduct a probe into allegations of physical and sexual abuse by John Furlong.

One has hope…after all, “RCMP says case open.”

Pipeline Revival, People Survival

“Mackenzie Valley pipeline facing possible revival.

Revival of 500 million dollar fund signals renewed interest in project – and possible new route.”

So read the headline published on the CBC website dated, Oct. 25^th, 2013.

Even after more than 40 years of deliberation and finally a 2011 permit to build the Mackenzie Gas Pipeline (MGP) and subsequent stall due to economics…yet, another dust-off for the MGP?

A prominent NWT Aboriginal member once said, “I’m kinda glad the MGP has not gone ahead, 20 per cent of our people could be lost.”

How?

The social impact of money. The people know it and certainly the federal government does too. After all, they have recently revived the 500 million dollar social impact fund in case the MGP is to be.

"We are looking at all options here and there is more than one option for this pipeline," says Pius Rolheiser, Imperial Oil’s spokesman. Imperial needs to act quickly on an option as they have only until the end of 2013 to give the nod to the National Energy Board…to be or not to be.

As you may know, N.E. BC has been wrought with natural gas activity lately with a number of pipelines proposed southwest to Kitimat on BC’s west coast with eventual shipment to the Far East. So…why not connect the MGP while they’re at it?

Imperial has made a considerable amount of investment to the MGP throughout the years but what does it value the most?

"We made a significant investment in terms of our relationship with the people of the North as represented by the Aboriginal pipeline group and that is a terribly important asset to us."

The revival of the MGP will be great for the NWT economy but how ‘bout the survival of its people?

Hopefully, 500 million dollars will be a good investment too.

Brazin' Brazeau

“New scandal hits Senate.

Brazeau ejected from caucus after arrest; Harper faces more headaches over upper house as reform stalls.”

So read the headline published in the GLOBE AND MAIL, dated Feb. 8^th, 2013 and written Bill Curry, Daniel Leblanc, and Steven Chase.

As you may know, with the current Senate format, it is the Prime Minister who appoints members for their respective role on Canadian governance and, for all appointed, on a path to easy money and ultimate retirement. One would assume; appointments are based on recommendations and rhetoric. In the above noted case, one could surmise too, Harper needed an “Aboriginal” in his caucus to be seen as a Prime Minister sensitive to aboriginal issues but also a Prime Minister who likely needed an Aboriginal who advocated PC views…enter Patrick Brazeau.

For Harper, Brazeau is young and is a non-status Indian and therefore does not fall under the Indian Act and furthermore, in the past, Brazeau has been negative and critical on the on-going challenge of the relationship of status Indians under the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and the federal government. So, how has Brazeau performed and conformed so far?

“ I am deeply appalled…and feel let down,” said the Prime Minister today (February 9th, 2013).

Subsequent to a 911 call, the RCMP responded and went to Senator Brazeau’s house in Gatineau, QC and did apprehend him overnight pending investigation with possibly pressing criminal charges. Today, the RCMP has charged him with assault and sexual assault.

So, what is the Prime Minister to do now?

“I think it is known that in light of the serious events that have been reported today (February 9, 2013), I have removed Senator Brazeau from the Conservative caucus.”

Senator Brazeau now sits as an Independent and is on leave with full pay. Unless Harper reforms the Senate as he had promised as an election platform, Senator Brazeau could retire comfortably, thanks to future earnings of $7 million dollars to the end of his term…not bad for a likely criminal facing serious allegations.

In the big picture, it is the Prime Minister who should be held accountable but with a majority government…who cares?

"...long to reign over us..."

Remember singing this in elementary school?

"God save our gracious Queen.
Long live our noble Queen.
Send her victorious,
long to reign over us..."

For those who think she is only a "symbolic/figurative" person, think again."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8k-T6dyZnM&list=FLBY2F5v-eJ5mV6Fh9gjF6zQ&index=11

Be sure your sins will find you out.

Furlong denies allegations of abuse.

Former CEO of Vancouver’s Olympic committee says he has asked police to probe claims.

So read the headline published in the GLOBE AND MAIL dated, September 28, 2012.

“But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the Lord: and be sure your sin will find you out.” Numbers 32:23.

One must assume the Bible was never too far from John Furlong as a former missionary at a school at Burns Lake, BC from 1969 to the early 1970’s.  There and then, Furlong worked as a gym teacher where he once led First Nations students in physical activities.

In the beginning, like the earth, that period of time too was “without form and void” for Furlong never did mention it in his book entitled, “Patriot Hearts.”

I wonder why?

Others like “Lake Babine First Nation chief Wilf Adam said he planned to issue a formal statement on Friday (yesterday) in support of band members who say Mr. Furlong abused them.”

“The issue here was the book and its failure to mention Burns Lake,” Mr. Adam said. “He (Mr. Furlong) has to be truthful and honest about what happened.”

So, what did happen?

It’s no secret now the number of physical and sexual abuses that did occur to former Aboriginal students and now considered as Survivors of all the church-run residential schools across Canada. The government through Prime Minister Stephen Harper finally apologized in 2008 to all Aboriginal people and followed through with compensation packages. It was clear then with the numbers of abuse allegations and an RCMP investigation full of evidence that prompted Harper to do the right thing. In most of those Survivor cases, it took 30 – 40 years to break the silence.

Even for Furlong, time does not stand still. And thanks to the reporter, Laura Robinson, his time spent 40 years ago in a small town in BC is certainly not without form and void.

Memories of Furlong by his former First Nations students and an RCMP investigation will certainly fill in that time…a time he says was of insignificance.

It’s ironic the Bible verse noted above is found in the book of Numbers. While there are allegations against Furlong, the RCMP must not and should not deny the numbers and make the time of 1969 to the early 1970’s of significance to those affected First Nations members.

Elders forethought, Atleo's afterthought.

“We must be partners, not an afterthought.”

So read the headline published in the GLOBE AND MAIL, dated August 22, 2012 and written by Shawn Atleo.

I see Shawn Atleo, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), is again trying to assert some leadership. After all, even with signed Treaties across the country, he is a leader of arguably the most uncertain of the three defined aboriginal groups and arguably too, the most contentious when it comes to the issue of resource development. After all too, we don’t hear much from Metis and Inuit groups regarding resource development.

I wonder why?

Atleo, to his credit, says, “The federal government must work with First Nations to move away from the Indian Act, to honour and give life to inherent rights, title, and treaties.”

Is the Indian Act to blame for the current state of affairs with First Nations and resource development or are First Nations ancestors to blame?

We, Inuvialuit, of the Western Arctic were a part of the northern group who were to sign and be a signatory to Treaty 11. Back in the day, our elders felt it not advantageous for us as a people and therefore, rejected the terms of the conditions of Treaty 11. Good for them.

Fast forward to Atleo’s comments today, “We must be full participants in new sustainable and responsible economic opportunity. This is a path forward to prosperity, now and into the future.”

Interesting?

One of our goals of the 1984 Inuvialuit Final Agreement of the Western Arctic is, “to enable Inuvialuit to be equal and meaningful participants in the northern and national economy and society…”

Thanks to our Elders patient foresight in rejecting signing Treaty 11, the government was a binding signatory to our comprehensive land claim agreement. Now, resource development companies and the government have no issue engaging Inuvialuit early and engaging Inuvialuit often in any proposed resource development. And, we don’t make the news on a daily basis as Inuvialuit are meaningful participants in the northern and national economy. And, never an afterthought.

Perhaps, Atleo should be looking back to his ancestors to address the path to prosperity, now and into the future.

Pipelines...a right-of-way that is not the right way?

As you know, the Enbridge Gateway and Kinder Morgan TransMountain pipeline proposals across British Columbia have been in the news for a while and will not go away for some time into the distant future.

Headlines include,       “Pipeline: Weighing the risks against the rewards,”

                                    “In case of accident,”

                                    “Living with the line,”

                                    “Beyond the protests, pipelines are a solid investment,”

                                    “Deadline imposed on Gateway review,”

                                    “Kinder Morgan’s $4.1 billion plan to push oil through southern B.C.,”

                                    “Pipeline feud in spotlight as oil-sands prospects dim,”

                                    “First Nations miffed with pipeline regulatory process,”

                                    …just to name a few.

Perhaps, with all the controversy, those companies need to think outside the box (or pipe)?

Enter the Mackenzie Gas Project (MGP), an already completed process with much Aboriginal support with the various land claims settled and a permit to build thanks to the National Energy Board (NEB).

Perhaps too, with all the controversy of the aforementioned pipeline proposals, those two companies especially Enbridge should think of “a northward course of empire.” As you may know too, the MGP is to one-day transport natural gas from the Mackenzie Delta in Canada’s western arctic to markets south to the oil sands of Alberta. Imperial Oil Limited is the lead proponent on the MGP which is to use a pipeline eventually built by TransCanada Pipelines (TPL).

Unfortunately, due to low gas prices, the MGP is on hold long-term with a right-of-way that might be the right way?

If Enbridge or even Kinder Morgan is looking for a proven less-controversial route to transport oil, why not pipe oil north down the Mackenzie river on to the Beaufort Sea, and gain the real gateway to the Orient? After all, the Aboriginal groups there are ready and willing along with the Government of the Northwest Territories looking to spark economic development. Furthermore, the natural gas of the Mackenzie Delta can then be used to fuel the project. Once oil hits the Arctic, it can be transported over to Prudhoe Bay in Alaska. There, oil can then be transported via the Alaska Pipeline System, a long-standing operational pipeline that transports oil down to Valdez. And then to?...where else, the Orient where China is waiting.

The Gateway and TransMountain pipelines are controversial with no guarantees from the British Columbia government and the First Nations have threatened to “go to the wall” to defend and protect their aboriginal rights to the point of stalling the projects with a long-lasting court process.

The MGP route is a round about way but the idea is something Enbridge and Kinder Morgan should consider even if it will cost time and more money. After all, it’s likely time for the companies to think outside the box as their respective right-of-way may not be the right way.